Good morning, good people.
May the Lord bless you with peace and good health.
It is 25th January 2024. We celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle.
The readings are from Acts 22:3-16 and the Gospel from Mark 16:15-18.
“We Will All Be Changed by the Victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58).
Saul’s conversion is incredible by the way it unfolded on the road to Damascus. He boasted about his erudition on Jewish connection and customs. He was torturing those who were following Jesus’ way because he thought that they would distort his tradition. He sided with those who murdered Stephen in a remote way. He was convinced to eradicate the disciples of Jesus, the early Christians. His encounter with Jesus Himself in a vision brought Him to believe the Lord. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Then he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.’ (Acts.22:8).
Conversion involves an encounter with Jesus, establishing with free will a relationship with Him, and becoming a disciple of Him.
“By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Cor 15:10). Indeed, God’s grace is always there for all of us to change.
“Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” (Mk.16:15)
It was the prayer of the Church and all those who were persecuted that had its impact on the conversion of St. Paul. Anyone can change. We need not condemn someone because he or she is not on our side. It is time to pray for them and allow God to bring them closer to Jesus.
The responsorial Psalm “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” (Mk.16:15).
In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the mandate, the mission, and the signs that manifest in the authentic follower of the Lord. St. Paul reminds us of such one model for our faith journey:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).
In changing the world, God begins with one person.
Karl Rahner encourages us that when God wants to change the world, God changes one person to begin with. We all can emulate St. Paul on this feast day, to repent and to believe and to reach out to many people for Christ with love.
The presence of the risen Christ inspires us to do good as a sign of our personal transformation.
May the Lord bless you to bring the best out of you for the sake of the kingdom of God.
Fr. Peter Fernando, OFMCap.
Director, Office of Family Ministry, Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA).Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.♣Website:https://reflectionsofpeter.org/.♣Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/samarpet
Notes:
- For the Daily Mass Readings in English, please visit https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar
- For the Daily Mass Readings in Filipino, please visit https://www.awitatpapuri.com/
- Please visit St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai’s website for church schedules, services, activities, and programs: https://saintmarysdubai.org/